AUBURN, Alabama -- Coach Tony Barbee said he hasn't made up his mind whether to bring back suspended guards Varez Ward and Chris Denson for Wednesday's game at Alabama.

His timeline for making a decision?

"Before we get on the bus for Tuscaloosa," he said.

Barbee did say both Ward and Denson did not practice Monday, and if that's the case, their chances for playing on Wednesday seem slim.

The players were suspended before Saturday's game against Arkansas for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Auburn lost to the Razorbacks 77-71.

A Montgomery native who transferred from Texas and sat out last season, Ward is averaging 9.0 points and 3.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. Denson, a sophomore from Columbus, Ga., is averaging 8.5 points per game.

Barbee also said that shooting guard Josh Langford is no closer to returning to action. He's been out since suffering a concussion at Arkansas Jan. 25.

"He's still having the effects of the concussion," Barbee said. "Is it (taking) longer than I expected? Yeah, but I'm not a doctor. You always have to err on the side of caution. He's still showing sensitivity to light and the recurring headaches. You've got to be cautious for his long-term health, which is the important thing."

Throw in freshmen Cedrick McAfee and Bernard Morena, who are both out with injuries and taking medical redshirts, and the Tigers could be without five scholarship players.

"It is what it is. It's sports," Barbee said. "People get injured, things happen, guys get suspended. You go to the floor with who you've got and you expect guys to step up - guys who haven't been in the rotation who all the sudden get an opportunity. Those guys have to step up and perform. We're not getting that right now. It's frustrating, but you can't dwell on it."